The Katsina State Government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to addressing the malnutrition crisis in the state, amid alarming recent reports linking malnutrition to high child mortality rates.
At a press briefing in Katsina on August 11, Dr. Shamsuddeen Yahaya, Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency, described the findings by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) regarding mortality at one of the state’s inpatient therapeutic centres as a “wake-up call” for all stakeholders to intensify efforts to combat malnutrition, one of the leading causes of illness and death among children in northern Nigeria.
Dr. Yahaya stressed that the government views the report not negatively but as an urgent reminder for coordinated action among government, partners, and communities. He highlighted ongoing investments under Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda’s administration, which has allocated over ₦600 million towards nutrition commodities in partnership with UNICEF.
Since 2016, the state has prioritized 14 critical Local Government Areas (LGAs) with targeted monthly funding to support outpatient therapeutic programmes. Early this year, all 34 LGA chairmen committed additional monthly funds, further strengthening malnutrition response efforts. Currently, Katsina operates 185 outpatient therapeutic centres and 17 stabilisation centres for critically ill children, with government and partners jointly managing these facilities.
Multi-Sectoral Approach and Food Security Initiatives
Following Governor Radda’s directive during a July visit to a treatment centre, the government developed a multi-sectoral nutrition plan in collaboration with UNICEF, MSF, the World Food Programme (WFP), and other partners. This plan targets immediate, mid-term, and long-term solutions to malnutrition.
Additional food security initiatives include the distribution of farm implements during planting seasons, establishment of an agri-mechanisation centre to enhance food production, and the Rumbun-Sauki initiative aimed at improving food accessibility. A taskforce has also been set up to prevent food hoarding and stabilize markets.
Challenges and Preventive Strategies
Dr. Yahaya acknowledged challenges such as the misuse of life-saving Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), which at times is sold by recipients instead of being used for treatment. The government is considering mobile courts and awareness campaigns to curb this misuse.
Other factors exacerbating malnutrition include high fertility rates, inadequate child spacing, vaccine hesitancy, and preventable diseases like measles. Dr. Yahaya emphasized openness to suggestions and pledged ongoing collaboration with traditional and religious leaders, civil society, and development partners.
Preventive Nutrition Efforts Impact Millions
Dr. Umar Bello, coordinator of the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) project in Katsina, detailed preventive strategies reaching all 361 wards across the state over the past three years. Interventions include Vitamin A supplementation, distribution of micronutrient powders, iron and folic acid supplements for pregnant women, and zinc and oral rehydration solutions for children with diarrhea.
To date, over three million beneficiaries have been reached, and more than 1,000 healthcare workers trained to provide community-level nutrition counselling.
Sustaining Progress
Katsina is preparing to implement the Scaling Up Nutrition 2.0 programme, combining preventive and treatment strategies. Governor Radda has allocated ₦700 million to support the initiative.
Both officials reaffirmed that no partners will be disengaged, stressing continued collaboration with UNICEF, MSF, WFP, and others.
“This is a collective responsibility,” Dr. Yahaya concluded. “Governor Radda is ready to do whatever it takes to safeguard the lives of Katsina’s people, especially our women and children.”
Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Katsina State
August 11, 2025
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